Chefs Gallery *UPDATED*
Image: Sometimes food writers, (myself included), can beat the authenticity stick too hard; failing to notice when something better comes along. Kaisern Ching is a savvy Sydney restaurateur clearly affected by living here.
Sometimes food writers, (myself included), can beat the authenticity stick too hard; failing to notice when something better comes along. Kaisern Ching is a savvy Sydney restaurateur clearly affected by living here. These days he’s turning out a Sydney-specific menu of modern Chinese dishes. His latest initiative, night yum cha, combines the tastes and weekend sleep-in desires of Western diners without betraying the hip Asian youngsters that still flock in. Killer dim sum will set you back only $7.90-$15.90 for visually spectacular options like Trillium Prawn Dumplings with 3 Coloured Fish Roe. For flavour though, Chicken and Mushroom Shiu Mai with Scallop/Prawn and Caviar win. Colourful Mixed Vegetable Dumplings are another must-have – gauze-like surfaces barely contain vibrant tangles of veggies. Long, Long, Long Prawn and Cheese Spring Rolls come with crudités to really stroke the Western palate. Fried Daikon Radish Cakes are totally Chinese, but modernised in a way that will make Aussies gobble them too. If Phoenix Spicy Prawn Dumplings raise a sweat, ease the pain with the theatre of a delightful Chrysanthemum Tea ($6.90). The slower pace allowed me time to eyeball the food-related ancient Chinese artifacts, and the buff lad dining with Jason Coleman (So You Think You Can Dance) – a satisfying meal indeed.
Chefs Gallery
Shop 12, 501 George Street, Sydney
Ph: (02) 9267 8877 www.chefsgallery.com.au
Chinese $-$$
